Chief U.S. District Judge Thomas F. Hogan said members of Congress are not above the law. He rejected requests from lawmakers and Democratic Rep. William Jefferson to return material seized by the FBI in a May 20-21 search of Jefferson’s office.

In a 28-page opinion, Hogan dismissed arguments that the first-ever raid on a congressman’s office violated the Constitution’s protections against intimidation of elected officials.

“Congress’ capacity to function effectively is not threatened by permitting congressional offices to be searched pursuant to validly issued search warrants,” said Hogan, who had approved the FBI’s request to conduct the overnight search of Jefferson’s office.

8 Responses to "Take that, Congress"

Ha! About time someone reminded congress that they are public servants, not higher beings who are not answerable to the laws of mortal men.
Judge Rules FBI Raid on Rep. Jefferson’s Office Was Legal
WASHINGTON — An FBI raid o…

AMEN!
Follow the same rules everyone else does!
There should not only be NO special consideration, but to my eyes, the punishment should be even greater for a “public servant” (term used loosely!) that abuses their power!

Because the members of congress did not like that one of their own member’s office has gotten searched LEGALLY, with a WARRANT, they threaten to intefere and mess with the budget of the FBI and Justice Department?!?!?

– Whats more amazing is the double standard, as well as power grab overreach, implied by the reactions of the prominent Senators on both sides of the aisle. To watch elected officials like Polosi and Haskert go in front of camera’s and stridently aver that they feel they should be treated “differently” than the normal American citizen speaks volumes about the egalitarian star chamber mentality of the Washington bubble.

– No. What is needed, is not less, but even more scrutiny of our leaders. We elect them to inact law, but even more we expect them to act as role models and uphold the damn laws, not look for weasle worded affectations, aimed at skirting the very laws they’re sworn to uphold.

– When you think about it, it’s beyond belief they would even think of such a feckless position. The jealousy with which all branchs of our government punktaciously defend their turf is expected, this sort of hedonism should not be expected, nor tolerated. The message is “we are above it all”, which is no way to run a railroad. We the people need to very vociferously let them know our displeasure, and put them soundly in their place. A good place to start is at the ballot box, letting them know they are once and always, public servents, not kings and queens.